PARIS, France – World No. 1 Novak Djokovic faced a grueling match at the French Open, ultimately triumphing over Italian player Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling five-set battle that lasted until the early hours of the morning.

The 37-year-old Serbian found himself down two sets to one but managed to stage a comeback, defeating the 22-year-old Musetti after four hours and 29 minutes of intense gameplay on Court Philippe-Chatrier. This victory marked the latest finish in a match at Roland Garros, with Djokovic breaking the previous record by almost two hours.

After securing the win, Djokovic raised his arms in celebration as the dedicated spectators who remained until the late hours applauded him, including his wife, Jelena. In an on-court interview following the match, Djokovic expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support during a crucial fourth set that helped him secure the victory.

Reflecting on the challenging match, Djokovic acknowledged Musetti’s exceptional performance, noting the Italian’s strong gameplay that kept him on his toes throughout the match. Despite facing difficulties and feeling uncomfortable at times, Djokovic’s determination, will to win, and the energy from the crowd ultimately propelled him to success.

The match, which had a delayed start due to rain, officially commenced just after 10:30 p.m. local time, leading to a late-night showdown between the two competitors. Djokovic, who now stands at 369 grand slam victories, will advance to face Argentinian player Francisco Cerúndolo in the fourth round of the tournament on Monday.

In a post-match interview, Djokovic refrained from discussing the scheduling delays, choosing instead to focus on the impressive performances displayed by both players. Despite the challenges faced during the match, Djokovic highlighted the beauty of winning in such circumstances and emphasized the importance of staying focused on the game itself.

The previous record for the latest match finish at the French Open was set in 2020, underscoring the exceptional nature of Djokovic and Musetti’s late-night battle on the court. As the tournament progresses, Djokovic’s determination and skill will continue to be put to the test, as he aims to add another victory to his illustrious career.